Match-making machine.



No. 643,470. Patented Feb. l3, I900.

F. M. CLOUGH. MATCH MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 19, 1897. Renewed Oct. 19, 1899.) (No Model.)

9 Shee'ts-Sheet l.

' Patented Feb. I3, [900. F. m. cmuau. MATCH MAKING MABBENE.

(Application filed July 19, 1&9'2; Renewed Oct. 19 1899.)

9 Sheets-Sheet 2.

r Mm

d E I (No Model.)

"n1: uonms PETERS Patented Feb. l3, I900.

r. m. CLOUGH. MATCH MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 19, 1897. Renewed Oct. 19, 1899.)

9 Sheets-Sheet 3 (No Model.)

m: mums Prrzns co" FHOTO-LITNu. WASHINGTON, n, o.

No. 643,470. Patented Feb. I3, I900. F. M. CLOUGH.

MATCH MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 19, 1897. Renewed Oct. 19, 1899.)

(No Model.) 9 Sheets$heet 4 THE mums PETERS co.. wow'umou WASHINGTON, n.c,

No. 643,470. Patented Feb. I3, 1900-. F. m. CLOUGH.

MATCH MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 19, 1897. Renewed Oct. 19, 1899.) (No Model.) 9Sheets-Sheet 6.

N, u. 0 THE Nzmms wzrzns 00.. Pnmoumo WASHINGTO No. 643,470. PatentedFeb. l3, I900.

F. M. CLOUGH.

MATCH MAKING MACHINE.

(Applicatiofl filed July 19, 1897. Renewed Oct. 19, 1899.)

(No Model.)

9 Slieets$heet 7.

(4415/ Uzi/ WW 42;, a /13/77 M y wt y) No. 643,470. Patented Feb. [3,1900. F. M. CLUUGH.

MATCH MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 19, 1897. Renewed Oct. 19, 1899.)

(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 8.

No. 643,470. Patented Feb. I3, 1900. F. M. CLUUGH.

MATCH MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed July I9, 1897. Renewed Oct. 19, 1899.)

9 Sheets-Sheet 9,

(No Model.)

m: NORRLS PETERS co. PHGTO-LIT-NQ. WASHINGTON. g. c.

' NI-TED STATES PATENT FFICE.

FRED M. CLOUGI-I, OF ATHOL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE DIAMOND MATCHCOMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. I

MATCH-MAKING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,470, dated February13, 1900.

I Application filed July 19, 1897. Renewed October 19, 1899. Serial No,734,136- (No model) T0 at whom it nuty concern: I

Be it known that I, FRED M. CLOUGH, of Athol Center, in the county ofWorcester, and in the State of Massachusetts, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Match-Making Machines; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 shows a view of my machine, partly in side elevation and partlyin vertical section; Fig. 2, a detail view on an enlarged scale, showinga vertical section of a portion of the end of my machine where thesplint cutting, sticking, and the match-ejecting devices are situated;Fig. 3, a view of a section on line mm of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a detail viewon an enlarged scale, showing in side elevation the means for rotatingthe carrierplate-supporting wheels; Fig. 5, a detail sectional viewshowing, on an enlarged scale, a section on line y y of Fig. 1; Fig. 6,a detail sectional view showing, on an enlarged scale, a verticalsection of the splint cutting and sticking devices and several of thecarrierplates with the parts in position, as when a row of splints isbeing inserted in a row of perforations in one of the carrier-plates;Fig. 7, a view of a section on line a z of Fig. 6; Fig. 8, a detailedsectional view showing, on an enlarged scale, a section on line 00' w ofFig. 2; Fig. 9, a view in rear elevation of the part of the machineshown in section in Fig. 8; Fig. 10, a detail sectional view showing, onan enlarged scale, a section on line yy of Fig. 1; Fig. 11, a view of asection on line .2 z of Fig. 10; Fig. 12, a detail sectional viewshowing, on an enlarged scale, the composition-applying mechanism usedin my machine; Fig. 13, a detail perspective view showing, on anenlarged scale, the composition-applying devices with the actuating1ever and cam removed; Fig. 14, a detail perspective view showing, on anenlarged scale, one of the carrier-plates; Fig. 15, a similar viewshowing the end of the scraper or evener for the composition-applyingdevice; Fig. 16, a like view of a portion of one of the carrierplate-supporting wheels, and Fig. 17 a similar View of one of theplate-retaining latches with its roller and pin separated from it andfrom each other.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of thefigures.

The object of my invention has been to provide an improved match-makingmachine of the kind in which the. match sticks or splints are insertedin a carrier, by which they areconveyed to and past the dipping devicesintended to make matches of the splints; and to this end my inventionconsists in the machine and in the arrangement, construction,

and combination of the parts thereof, as hereinafter specified.

While I have shown my invention as arranged to make use of theblock-feeding and splint cutting and sticking mechanism such as is shownand described in the United States patent to Beecher, No. 389,435, andshall hereinafter describe my machine as having suchmechanism forsupplying the splints and sticking them in the carrier-plates used byme, I desire it to be understood that I do not limit myself to such formof splint supplying and sticking mechanism, but contemplate usinginstead where desired any other suitable means or mechanism forfurnishing splints and inserting them in the carrierplates. Any othersuitable means for cutting and sticking the splints or for taking themafter they have been cut and thrusting them into the grasp of thecarrier can be employed in my machine without involving departure frommy invention.

As the splint cutting and sticking devices appearing in my machine shownand described herein are the same as those for the same purpose fullyset forth and explained both in respect to their construction andoperation in the Beecher patent referred to, I need not show nordescribe them at length herein, but would refer to such patent fora fullshowing and description of them and their operation.

In the drawings of this application, A A

designate the frame for supporting the various operative parts of themachine, and B designates the reciprocating cutting-head,

frame and is actuated by the rods 13 B, pivotally connected with thehead, and themselves to be actuated through suitable connections from arevolving; crank on the main shaft, all as set forth in the patentreferred to. This head B carries a series of tubular cutters b 1),adapted to cut splints from blocks of wood fed up close to the path ofthe head, as indicated at 0. Such cutters are during the downwardmovement of the head projected beyond the rear side of the head, so asto be in position to cut down through the blocks of wood at O andseparate a series of match-splints therefrom. The cutters are then drawnin on the head, so as to bring their tubular portions, which retain thelower ends of the cut splints, in them over the fixed abutment B ,whichaffords a support for the lower ends of the splints to prevent theirbeing pushed down through the cutters as the head B rises and forces therowof splints held by the cutters into the perforations of thecarrierplates to be described.

The operation of the cutters, of the means for moving them, and of thesplint-supporting abutment is the same as that set forth in the patentreferred to.

Instead of using an endless continuous carrier for the splints, composedof a series of plates provided with rows of splint receiving andholdiugperforations and hinged together so as to form a chain of plates likethat of the machine of the said patent, I employ for my splint-carrier aseries of separate carrierplates D D, each provided with one or more(preferably four) rows ofperforations (Z d to receive and hold thesplints, such perforations being made slightly smaller in diameter thanthe splints, so that when the splint ends are thrust into them such endswill be slightly compressed and so grasped firmly enough to insure asteady and continuous holding of the splints in positions at rightangles to the respective plates and parallel with each other.

In my machine the plates D D, while not being hinged together, arealways kept close to each other as they are moved along, so as to form asubstantially continuous carrier, the rows of perforations in them beingso arranged that the distance between the last row of perforations onone plate and the first row on the next succeeding plate is the same asthe distance between the rows of perforations on any one plate.

In order to move the plates of my carrier along while keeping them closetogether, I provide a series of pairs of wheels E E, fixed on androtating with shafts E E, journaled in suitable hearings on parts offrame A A. Each of these wheels E E has a series of notches c 6, havinga width about equal to one-half the width of one of the plates D D, thenotches on one wheel of each pair being arranged to come directlyopposite to the notches in the other wheel of the pair. Each of thesenotches e e on the first pair of wheels E Ehas its bottom made convex,as shown best in Figs. 6 and 16, forapurpose to be explainedhereinafter.

The plates D D have beyond the opposite ends of their series ofperforations dd parts d d, which are to engage guides to be described,and beyond those portions are cut away on each side of their ends, so asto leave centrally-located lugs d d of a width equal to half that ofaplate. These lugs are the portions of the plates which are engaged bythe notches e e on wheels E E, such notches being of a size to admit thelugs freely, while fitting them closely enough to prevent anyconsiderable play of the lugs back and forth in the notches.

The first pair of whcelsE E is directly over the hereinbefore-describedsplint cutting and sticking head B and situated with reference to suchhead so that a plate D, having its lugs d d engaging the lowest notchese e on the under side of the wheels, will be at asufficient distancefrom the head B to properly receive in its perforations any splints cutand carried up by the head.

In order that each plate as it stands and is passed along over the headB may be in position with its under face at right angles to the travelof the head B, so that the perforations in any row brought over the headmay have their axes exactly vertical and in line with the splints to beraised and thrust into them by the said head, I provide the twohorizontal guide-strips D D, secured upon the frame A A so as to formstraight sliding supports for the under sides of the plain imperforatedparts (1 d of the plates.

To hold each plate as it passes along over the guide-strips D D fiatdown upon the latter, so that its position will be exactlyat rightangles to the plane of travel of head B until all of the rows ofperforations of such plate have been brought over and passed by the lineof travel of the splints carried by the head, I provide a cross-bar Dadapted to engage'the upper side of the plate. The under side of thisbar D which engages the plate, is made parallel to the guide-strips D D,as shown, (see Figs. 2 and 6,) a beveled surface or upward and rearwardincline (1 being provided on the side of the bar which the plates D Dfirst strike to guide the plates easily under the bar as they are movedalong by the rotation of wheels E E. The cross-bar D is supported on thetwo side arms D D, extending from opposite sides of frame A A down closeto the inner sides of the two wheels EE. (See Figs. 2, 3, and 7.)

As the passage of each plate D between cross-barD and the gi'iide-stripsD D causes the plate to travel for a time in a straight line, while thenotched peripheries of the wheels E E, engaging the lugs d d on theplate, must travel in a curved line, it is necessary to provide for achange of angle of the plate with reference to the radii of such wheels.For this purpose the bottoms of notches e e are made convex, ashereinbefore described,

and shown in the drawings, in order to allow such plate to have arocking motion with reference to the wheels E E.

The fiat horizontal under side of bar D besides serving with theguide-strips D D to insure the straight horizontal travel of the platesalso serves as an abutment to limit the upward travel of thematch-splints and prevents any splints from being thrust farther throughone of the plate-perforations e 6 than the other splints. This insuresthat the lower ends of the splints which are to be dipped and receivethe igniting composition to form the match-heads shall all be in thesame plane and therefore in position to be uniformly dipped and treatedwith composition.

In order to support the plates D D from the first pair of wheels E E anddo away with all necessity for supporting-guides over which these plateswould have to he slid with a retardin g friction due to their weight, Iprovide such first pair of wheels E E, which move the plates past thestrips D D and bar D with spring-latches e e, one for each notch e e,attached to the sides of the wheels E E, and each having a lip e adaptedto project inward over the end of that lug d on the plate D which may beseated in the respective notch e. The lug-en gaging faces of these lipse e are made convex for the same reason that the bottoms of notches e eare-that is, to allow the plates D D to rock with reference to themoving wheels E E, so that the plates can travel in a straighthorizontal line for a time while they are passing between guide-strips DD and bar D The other pairs of wheels E E for supporting and moving thecarrierplates D D do not have their notches with convex bottoms, but areformed with flat bottoms, against which the lugs 61 d on thecarrier-plates can be squarely seated. After passing the splint cuttingand sticking devices and having their rows of perforations filled withsplints thereby the carrier-plates D D, supported in the notches of thefirst pair of wheels E E by the latches e e, are carried onward andupward by the rotation of such wheels to the point where the peripheriesof the latter come close to the peripheries of the next or second pairof notched wheels E E. As a carrier-plate approaches this point its lugs01 d are released by their respective latches e e, which are forcedoutward to take their lips e 6 beyond the ends of the plate-lugs bystationary cam-plates F F, supported on the guide-strips G G, secured tothe frame A A, engaging an tifriction-rollers e e on the pins 6 ecarried by the latches. (See Figs. 2, 8, and 9.) \Vhen the lugs d d ofany one plate have been thus released by the respective latches e e, theonward movement of the plate caused by the rotation of the wheels E E,in the notches of which the plate-lugs have been held, causes the plainimperforated end portion of the plate close to the lugs to come incontact with the inclined lower ends of the two curved guide-strips G G,supported from opposite sides of frame A A. The lower portions of thesestrips are in clined, so as to cross the path of the plates carried bythe first wheels E E and guide such plates over to transfer their endlugs from the notches e e of such wheels into the corresponding notchesof the second pair of .wheels E E. Thelatter wheels,being notched in adirection opposite to that of the rotation of the first pair of wheels,then carry the transferred carrier-plates,with the splints in theirperforations, upward and inward, the weight of such plates beingsupported by the wheels through the plate-lugs resting in thewheel-notches.

The plate-shifting guide-strips do not have to support the weight of theplates and need not be in contact with the plates to oifer theresistance of any sliding friction except just at the point where theycross the path of the plates supported on the first wheels and shiftsuch plates from such wheels to the second wheels in the mannerindicated above.

There are curved guide-strips G G extending around just below orout-side of the path of the plates D D where the latter are supportedfrom the first pair of wheels E E, but they are only safety guide-stripsadapted to support one end of any plate which might fail to be supportedby its respective latch 6 because of the latch becoming broken orfailing to act through some accident; but such strips do notfrictionally engage the plates or serve to support them or any of theirweight after the plate-lugs have become engaged by the respectivelatches e e on the wheels.

The plates D D are carried by the second pair of notched wheels upward,over, and then downward to the point where the peripheries of suchwheels come close to the peripheries of the third pair of notched wheelsE E, and then are shifted by the transfer-guides G G to take their endlugs 01 d from the notches of the second pair of wheels and seat them inthe notches of the third pair. The plate-shifting portions of the guidesG G for thus shifting the carrier-plates are made, like thecorresponding portions of guides G G hereinbefore described,inclined,soas to stand at an acute angle to and across the path of the plates ascarried by the wheels, from which the plates are to be shifted.

The third pair of wheels E E is made just like the first pairhereinbefore described except as to the shape of the notches, which arenot made with convex bottoms, as in the case of the first wheels. Eachwheel of the third pair has a series of spring-latches, one for eachnotch e, to engage and hold in such notch an end lug d on acarrier-plate, the latches being the same in form and operation as thoseon the first pair of wheels, except that they need not be made convex ontheir inner or lug-engaging faces. Latch-tripping cams F F, like thosealready described, are situated so as to spring back the correspondin glatches of the two wheels of the third pair out of the path of the lugson a carrier-plate as such plate reaches the point where it is to betransferred from the second to the third pair of wheels. The latchesthus sprung back remain held by the cams F F until the end lugs (Z d ofthe carrier-plate, which they are to engage and support, are seated inthe wheel-notches, when the rotation of the wheel carries thecam-engaging bearings on the latches off of the cams,and such latchesspring inward to bring their lips or lugs 6 6 in over the plate-lugs (1(1 As the third pair of wheels E E continues to revolve thecarrierplates, with their lugs seated in the wheelnotehes, will becarried onward, downward, and then upward to the point where theyare tobe transferred to the fourth or next pair of notched wheels, and untilsuch point is reached the weight of said carrier-plates will besupported by the third pair of wheels and the latches carried by thelatter, and there will be no sliding or other friction on the plates ortheir lugs over supporting-guides to be overcome or to hinder the easymoving along of the plates.

\Vhere the carrier-plates travel along on the under side of the thirdpair of wheels E E, I arrange my dipping or paraiiiningdeviee forapplying to the splints paraffin or other suitable material with whichthey are to be treated before the igniting composition to form thematch-heads is applied to the splints. The form of this dipping orparaffining device which I prefer is shown best in Figs. 1, 10, and 11.It consists of a jacketed vat H, supported on the frame-uprights A A,having the central cavity H to receive the paraffin or other materialused, and a jacket inclosing a space around such cavity, which space isto be supplied with hot water or other heating medium through a pipe h.Circulation of the water or other medium can be maintained in the usualway by drawing oif such water or medium through an outflowpipe. (Notshown.) There is a verticallyreciprocating frame having a longitudinalplate H connected with two cross-bars H H each of which is connected atits opposite ends with two uprights H H". The upper ends of each of theuprights connected with each bar H are themselves connected by across-bar H, which has a downwardly-bent portion to receive and hold apart of a shallow pan II. The downward bend of the crossbars H H issufficient to cause the pan H to be submerged in the liquid contents ofthe cavity II when the vertically-reciprocating frame is down in itslowest position and yet allow the top of the pan to be raised well abovethe vat II when the frame is moved, upward. The pan-carrying frame canbe guided in its reciprocations up and down in any suitable way; but Iprefer to secure its guiding by passing the uprights H H through guidesH II on the sides of the jacket for the vat, as indicated in Figs. 10and 11. On the under side of plate II are two cars or lugs 7L h,

carrying a pin 7L2, which is engaged by a fork 71. on one end of theactuating-lever h, pivoted at 7L to a suitable support h" on the frame AA and having its farther end provided with a pin or bearing 7L7,engaging a cam-groove h in the side of cam h, fixed upon and rotatingwith shaft 7e which is journaled in suitable bearings on the frame A Aand is to be driven in any suitable way from the main driving-shaft I ofthe machine. As indicated in the drawings, (see Fig. 1,) the shaft 71can be driven by a sprocket-wheel h, fixed upon it, and engaged by asprocketchain h which in turn is to be driven by a sprocket-wheel 71 onshaft I. This latter sprocket-wheel I have not shown except in dottedlines, as it can be of any desired form or construction adapted to drivethe chain It.

I desire it to be understood that I do not limit myself to theabove-described means of driving the cam-shaft 7L but can use insteadany other suitable means or gearing for the same purpose withoutdeparting from my invention.

The pan II is of a width greater than the length of the rows of splintsheld in the perforations of the carrier-plates and is of a suffieientextent from its front to its rear edge to accommodate at one time withinit the lower ends of the rows of splints in several adjoiningcarrier-plates. (See Figs. 10 and 11.) \Vith this construction and withthe gearing for driving cam h" arranged to cause a lifting ofpan-bearing frame once during the travel of each carrier-plate to carryits several rows of splints by a given point the splints will all beuniformly treated with the paraffin or'other liquid contents of the panH". The throw of the forked end of lever h is such that when the pandescends it is carried well below the surface of the heated contents ofthe vat I-I, so that what it takes from the vat and raises to and aroundthe splints will always be hot and thoroughly liquefied.

The series of pairs of notched wheels E E for supporting and moving mycarrier-plates in their travel through the machine are driven with astep-by-step motion, each step being of sufficient length to move thecarrier-plates through the distance required to move one row ofperforations in any one plate away from a given point and bring the nextsucceeding row of perforations up to such point. This step-by-steprotation of the wheels E E can be secured in any desired way and by anysuitable means; but I prefer to secure it in the manner indicated in thedrawings. As shown, each of the shafts E E, which carry the pairs ofnotched wheels E E, -is geared to the adjoining shafts, so that theymust all rotate together. Each shaft has fixed to it a gear-wheel Emeshing with similar wheels E E on the two shafts to the front and rearof it. There is also attached to each shaft E a ratchet-wheelE the teethof which are engaged by a pawl E on a swinging arm E journaled upon therespective shaft E.

For actuating a number of these pawl-carrying arms simultaneously Ipivotally connect them with a reciprocating bar E, which is reciprocatedby a cam E having an eccentric cam groove or track E engaging a pin orbearing E on the bar. Where, asin the machine shown, there are twohorizontal series of pairs of wheels E E, one lower and one upper series, and one vertical series connecting the farther ends of the upperand lower series, I prefer to have a separate actuating-bar E for eachseries. In such case the bar for the first or lower series can beactuated by the cam E supported on a shaft E journaled in suitablehearings on a bracket or arm E on the frame A A, while the actuating-barfor the upright series of wheels can be actuated by a similar cam E onshaft E journaled in suitable bearings on the arm E on one of theuprights of frame A A. The cam E for actuating the bar of the upperseries of wheels can be on a shaft E similarly supported at the front ofthe machine, or at the rear end of the latter, if desired. As, with theshafts E E geared together in the manner indicatedhereinbefore,adjoining shafts,with the wheels E E thereon, must rotatein opposite directions, the teeth of the ratchet-wheel on one shaft areturned in a direction opposite to that in which those of theratchet-wheels on adjoining shafts are turned,the ratchet-wheelactuatingpawls E E being correspondingly arranged, (see Figs. 1 and 4,) so thatas an actuating-bar E movesin one direction alternate pawls in theseries will turn their respective ratchet-wheels forward through thedistance of one tooth, and as the bar returns the other pawls will.correspondingly turn their respective ratchet-wheels.

YVith all of the shafts E E geared together, as described, theapplication of the rotating power to alternate shafts through the pawlsand ratchet-wheels in the manner just above indicated will give a goodand satisfactory action in the proper uniform and simultaneousstep-by-step rotation of the carrier-plate supporting and moving wheelsE E throughout the machine.

The cams E E E for actuating-bars EE"'E can be driven in any desired waywithout involving any departure from my invention. As indicated in thedrawings, they can be driven by sprocket-chains E which are to engageand drive sprocket-wheels E E on the shafts E E carrying the cams, andbe driven by suitable sprocket-wheels E E on the main driving-shaft I.These sprocket- Wheels to be driven by and to drive the sprocket-chains,I have indicated only in a conventional way in dotted lines, as theirconstruction and arrangement will be perfectly clear to and understoodby the mechanic without any detail showing of them, as any other desiredform of gearing or means for actuating the cam-carrying shaft-s could beused without involving any departure from my in-' Vention.

After leaving the fourth pair of notched wheels E E the carrier-plates DD, having their lugs 02 d seated in the notches e e of the fifth pair ofWheels and held therein by the spring-catches e e, are carried by therotation of the wheels of the fourth pair down to the under side of suchwheels and over the composition applying mechanism for treating eachmatch-splint with a quantity of igniting composition sufficient to forma match-head. Such mechanism consists of a compositioncontaining vat K,provided with a heatingjacket K, which is to be kept supplied with hotwater or other heating medium adapted to keep the body of compositionkwithin the vat hot enough to have the desired fluidity. The vat K,supported on the frame-uprights A A extends across the space below thefourth pair of wheels E E, being of a width greater than the length ofthe rows of splints held in the carrier plates. In connection with thisvat there is a vertically-reciprocating frame, which consists of thelongitudinal bottom plate K below the vat, the two crossbars K Kconnected with the plate K and the uprights K K connected with theopposite ends of the cross-bars K K and guided in guideways 7c in theupright plates A A upon which the vat is supported. At their upper endsthe uprights K K are bent inward over the edge of vat K and thendownward in planes parallel with and close to the inner sides of the vatends and support on their lower ends the ends of the horizontal bars K Kwhich carry the shallow pan K for conveying composition from the vat tothe ends of the splints carried by the carrierplates. This pan is ofawidth slightly greater than the length of a row of splints in anycarrier-plate, and the distance from its front to its rear edge issufficient to allow the pan to inclose the lower ends of the splints inall the rows in one plate at one time when the pan is raised in themanner to be described. The position of the pan at all points of itsmovement is vertically underneath a carrier-plate D when such plate hasbeen brought to a horizontal position on the under side of the fifthpair of wheels E E.

For actuating the pan-supporting frame, so as to cause the pan K todescend well into the composition in vat K and then rise again to causethe ends of the rows of splints in a carrier-plate D to be immersed inthe layer of composition carried by the pan, I provide the under side ofplate K with ears or lugs K K carrying a pin K engaged by a fork on oneend of the lever K, which is pivoted at K in a suitable bearing K onframe AA and has its other end provided witha rollerbearin g K engaginga cam-groove K in the side of cam K on shaft K idriven by sprocketwheelK fixed on such shaft, and itself aciuated bysprocket-chain h. Thecam-groove K is so shaped and timed with reference to the rotation ofmain shaft I and the-move ment of the carrier plate supporting andmoving wheels that the pan K is lowered from a point just below the pathof the ends of the splints in the carrier-plates to and into thecomposition in the vat K and then raised to said point, while acarrier-plate D is being moved from its horizontal position on the underside of the fifth pair of wheels E E and the next succeeding plate isbeing brought into such position by the step-bystep rotation of theplate-carrying wheels. A short sharp downward and upward bend K in thecam-groove K then depresses and raises the bearings K on lever Kquickly, so as to cause/the other end of the lever to raise and lowerthe pan-carrying frame to bring the pan K up to cause immersion of theends of the four rows of splints carried by the carrier-plate and thenlower such pan below such splint ends while the carrier-plate is at restafter the finishing of one of its stepby-step movements and beforeanother of such movements is begun.-

In order to scrape off any excess of composition from the pan K and tolevel off the layer of composition held within it, so that the splintswill be uniformly dipped,I provide a scraper and leveler L, consistingof a bar extending across the vat K, and when the pan K is down restingnear its opposite ends upon the edges of the vat. Just beyond the partsof this bar which are to rest on the vat edges such bar has the squaredportions 1 Zengaging and sliding in the horizontal slots Z l. in theplates L L, which slide vertically up and down in guideways L L in theupright plates A A Beyond these squared portion Z Z the scraper-bar Lhas the rounded ends Z Z engaging the slots Z Z in plates A A each ofwhich slots has a long inclined portion at an angle to the line oftravel of the pan K and a short vertically-extending portion at theupper end of the inclined part. (See Figs. 12 and 13.) These slots areso arranged that as the pan K is being raised and engages thescraper-bar L, so as to carry the same upward above the vattop, theinclined portions of the slots will cause the bar to move across the topof the pan to remove therefrom all composition standing above the panedges. The inclined portions of the slots are of such length as to causethe bar to be moved completely over the pan, beyond the edge thereof, touncover the layer of composition before the herei nbefore-describedquick vertical movementof the pan to apply the composition to thematch-splint ends takes place. The short vertical portions of slots Zallow the scraper-bar L to remain without sidewise move during the quickupward and downward movement of the pan K while the carrier is at rest,so that such movement may be free and unretarded in any way. The squaredportions Z Z on the bar L, engaging the horizontal slots Z Z in thevertically-sliding plates L L, serve to prevent rotation of the bar,while leaving it free to move horizontally with reference to such platesL L and the pan K. As the pan descends toward and into the vat theplates L L also descend and carry the scraper-bar L down with them andcause its rounded end portions Z Z to first move down through the shortvertical upper part of slots Z Z and then down along the inclined partsof such slots, which will cause the bar to travel transversely acrossthe plates L L until the bar reaches its lowest position, rests upon theupper edge of vat K, and stands with its com position-scraping partontside of the vertical plane of travel of the inner face of the frontside of pan K. If desired, in order to prevent friction and make themovement of the scraper-bar most easy I contemplate providing theprojecting ends Z Z of the bar with rollers to engage the slots Z Z Idesire it to be understood that instead of having thecomposition-applying mechanism arranged to operate upon the splints inthe plates engaged by the fifth pair of wheels E E, as shown anddescribed, such mechanism can be placed farther away from theparaffining or other preliminary treatment devices, so as to act uponthe splints in plates carried by a pair of wheels E E, like the fifthpair, farther along in the series of plate carrying and moving wheels.

As shown in the drawings, the carrier-plates D D, after passing aroundunder the fifth pair of wheels and being brought by the latter up to acertain point, are transferred from the notches of such wheels to thoseof the next succeeding wheels E E by shifting or transfer guides G G,like those described hereinbefore as used to transfer the plates fromthe first pair of wheels to the second and from the third to the fourthpair. Latchtripping cams F F, similar to those hereinbefore described,serve to trip the latches c e and hold them away from the lugs 61 d ofeach carrier-plate when such plate reaches the place where it is to beshifted in the manner described to the next succeeding pair of wheels EE. From such pair of wheels the carrier-plates are shifted in the samemanner by guides G G to the seventh pair of wheels, which areconstructed like the described first, third, and fifth pairs of wheels,having the same arrangement of latches e c and cams for tripping thelatter. From the seventh pair of wheels the carrier-plates pass upward,traveling alternately around the inner and outer sides of the severalpairs of wheels in the vertical series of plate supporting and carryingwheels E E. These wheels of the vertical series are not provided withlatches e e to engage the carrier-plate lugs (1 (1 but are simplenotched wheels like the second pair of the lower horizontal serieshercinbefore described.

In the ease of the vertical series of pairs of wheels E E theguide-strips G G serve not only to transfer the carrier-plates from onepair of Wheels to another like the guide-strips already described, butalso serve for a small IIO portion of the travel of the carrier-platesto l a plate each time that the plate comes to rest support and keep theplates, with their lugs 61 d seated in the notches of the wheels.Throughout the greater part of the upward travel of plates the weight ofthe latter is su pported entirely by the wheels E E and causes noretarding friction on the guide-strips. Having reached the end of thevertical series of pairs of wheels, the carrier-plates continue on tothe upper horizontal series of pairs of wheels, passing first along theunder side of one pair of wheels, over the upper side of the next pair,along the under side of the next pair, and so on throughout the series,transfer guide-strips G G being used, as before, to shift the platesfrom one pair of wheels to another, and each pair of wheels, along theunder side of which the plates are to pass, having a series of latches e6 like those already described, one for each notch e, to retain therespective plate-lug d in such notch and cams F F to trip the latches toallow the plates to be transferred to and from the wheels the same as inthe case of the first, third, fifth, and seventh pair of wheelshereinbefore described. From the last pair of wheels E E at the frontend of the upper horizontal series the carrier-plates, with the matchesheld in them, pass vertically downward between pairs of guides G? Gsupported by arms A A on the frame A A and adapted to engage the frontand rear sides, respectively, of the plain unperforated. portions d d ofthe carrierplates. Guided between these guides G G2 and resting one uponthe other the carrierplates D D slide down, so that their lugs enter thenotches e c of the first pair of wheels E E again, and such wheels willmove them onward to and past the splint cutting and stickingdevices,which will fill the plate-rows again with splints in the mannerhereinbefore set forth.

In order to insure the proper seating of the lugs 01 d of the respectivecarrier-plates D D in the proper notches of the wheels E E, theguide-strips G G have their upper ends bent outward at a slight angle,(see Fig. 2,) and below this bent portion each strip is curved in aplane concentric with the wheels E E and has its inner or rear facesubstantially in the same plane with the outer periphery of the portionsof the wheels, which are between the notches e e. Cams F F like thosehereinbefore described serve to trip or force back the latches c 6, soas to allow the passage of the plate-lugs 01 d the latches passing offof such cams and snapping in over the plate-lugs as the wheels E Econtinue their step-by-step revolution. On theirdownward travel betweenthe guides G G the carrierplates, filled with matches, are brought to anejector, which serves to discharge the matches from the carrier-platesbefore the latter reach the wheels E E again. Such ejector can be of anydesired construction, properly adapted to operate to discharge a row ofmatches from after one of its step-by-step movements.

The ejector shown in the drawings (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3) is like thatfully shown and described in the Beecher patent, hereinbefore referredto, consisting, essentially, of a reciprocating head M, having a plateM, carrying a series of punch-pins m 012, one for each of theperforations d d,in a single row in the carrier-plates D D, such pinsbeing situated so as to be in line with the respective perforations inany row as such row is brought by the movement of the respective plate D0pposite a given point. This point is one at which the successive rowsof perforations successively come to rest during the step-by-stepprogress of the carrier-plates, due to the described step-by-steprotation of the series of pairs of plate supporting and moving Wheels EE. A fixed plate Misupported from frame A A and having a series of holes111 m for the respective punch-pins, serves to guide the pins into theperforations of the carrier-plate to eject a row of matches therefrom asthe head moves outward toward such carrierplate. The head M can beguided and supported in any desired way. As shown, it is guided andsupported upon a plate M and is reciprocated back and forth by rods M Mconnected at one end with the head and at the other end pivotallyconnected with arms M M on a rock-shaft M journaled in bearings M M onframe A A. This rock-shaft is actuated by rod M connected with an arm M-on the shaft, and itself actuated by an arm M pivotally connected withits lower end. This arm M is rigidly connected with a swinging arm M,which in turnis actuated by a cam M on the main driving-shaft I, all asfully explained in the Beecher patentabove referred to. The constructionand operation of the ejecting mechanism being fully described in suchpatent need not be set forth any further in detail herewith.

The number of pairs of wheels E E which support and move thecarrier-plates after the splints in the latter have been supplied withthe match-head-forming portions of igniting composition by thecomposition-applying devices should be sufficient to make the travel ofthe plates long enough to give the match heads time to cool, dry, andharden before the matches are discharged from the carrierplates by theejector.

Obviously the number of the pairs of wheels used can be increased asdesired to make the travel of the plates after the composition isapplied to the splints continue for any required length of time.

Instead of making my carrier of a series of plates with rows ofperforations to receive and hold the splint ends, as shown in thedrawings and described hereinbefore, I contemplate using, where desired,plates, bars, or narrow racks provided with means other thanperforations for receiving and holding portions of the splints. Thewheels E E and transfer and guiding means could then operate inconnection with and upon the plates, bars, or frames just as they do onthe perforated carrier-plates D D.

The operation of my machine shown and described in this application,which will be understood from the foregoing description and thedrawings, is as follows: The carrierplates D D, passing down between thevertical guides G G are by the upper ends of guides G G guided so thatthe lugs (Z (Z on the opposite ends of each plate will enter and beseated in corresponding notches e e of the first pair of wheels E E, thelatches e e for such notches being held back out of way of theplate-lugs by the cams F F. Being carried past the cams by the rotationof the wheels E E, the latches snap inward to carry their lips e e intoengagement with the plate-lugs to hold such lugs in the wheel-notches.The step-by-step movement of the wheels E E brings the plates D D, whoselugs are engaged by the wheel-notches, down over the splint cutting andsticking mechanism. \Vhile a carrier-plate is over such mechanism and isbeing moved with a step-by-step movement to bring its rows ofperforations successively over the path of a row of splints carriedupward by the splint cutting and sticking devices it is caused to standin a plane exactly at right angles to the plane of travel of suchdevices by guide-plates D and the guide-bar D After having its rows ofperforations supplied with splints each plate is carried onward andupward by the wheels E E and transferred to a second pair of wheels E E,from which it is delivered to the third pair, which, like the first pairof wheels, is provided with plate-lug-engaging latches. This third pairof wheels carries the plate to and past the paraffining mechanism ormeans for treating the splints preliminary to the application of theigniting compound. From the third pair of wheels E E the plate passesalternately over pairs of notched wheels without latches and under pairsof notched wheels with such latches c a, so that the whole weight of theplate is supported by or from the wheels, and there is no retardingsliding friction due to the weight of the plate pressing it or part ofit down upon su pporting-guides. lVhile passing along the under side ofone pair of wheels and supported therefrom by the latches e e on thewheels, the plate comes to rest after one of its step-bystep forwardmovements directly over the composition-applying device, the pan or trayof which carrying a layer of composition is, while the plate is at rest,quickly raised to cause the lower ends of all of the rows of splintscarried by the plate to be submerged in the composition layer, and thenis lowered again to take it away from the splint ends before the platestarts forward again. From the end of the horizontal series of pairs ofwheels E E the plate then passes alternately around the inner and outersides of the pairs of wheels in the upright series, and, passing up overthe upper pair of wheels in such series, travels alternately under andover the pairs of wheels in the upper horizontal series. As in the caseof the lower horizontal series each pair of wheels along under which theplate is to pass is pro vided with the plate-lug engaging and supportinglatches e e to support the weight of the plate while it is passing alongunder the wheels and until it comes to the place of transfer tosucceeding pair of wheels over which it is to pass. The same form ofplate-transferring guides and latch-tripping cams is used in the upperhorizontal series as in the lower series. The plate having passed overthe last pair of wheels in the upper series drops down between guides GG upon the carrier-plate next preceding it, and the series of platesresting one upon the other between such guides is by the step-by-stepmovement of the series of pairs of wheels E E allowed to move downwardwith a step-by-step motion, each step being of such length as to move aplate to take one row of perforations therein from a given point andbring the next succeeding row of perforations exactly up to such point.This will, when a carrierplate comes to the reciprocating ejector withits match-ejecting pins, bring the rows of perforations in the platesuccessively opposite the pins of the ejector, so that at each outwardmovement of thelatter its rows of pins will enter and punch the matchesout of a row of the plate-perforations.

It will be noticed that in my machine the sliding friction of thecarrier-plates or any part of them upon any supporting-guides is reducedto a minimum.

Throughout nearly all the travel of the carrier-plates sliding frictiondue to the weight of the plates pressing them down on guides isprevented and the weight of'the plates is supported either directly bythe wheels or by devices carried by the latter.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a match-makingmachine, in combination with a series of separate splint-carryingdevices, each having means for holding one or more rows of splints, twotraveling carriers for the splint-carrying devices, having notches toengage portions of such devices and move them along, and latches on thecarriers to engage portions of the splint-carrying devices and supportthe same adapted to be moved to disengage such portions, substantiallyas described.

2. In a match-making machine in combination with a series of separatesplint-carrying devices, each provided with means for holding a row ofsplints, a pair of rotating wheels provided with notches to receiveportions of such devices, and movable devices to engage and hold thesplint-carrying devices ICO IIO

with their portions in'the notches of the wheels adapted to be moved torelease the splint-carrying devices, substantially as described.

3. In a match-making machine, in combination with a series of separatesplint-carrying devices, each provided with means for holding a row ofsplints, a pair of rotating wheels provided with notches to receiveportions of such devices, latches on the wheels to engage and supportportions of the splintcarrying devices, and means for tripping suchlatches, substantially as described.

at. In a match-making machine, in combination with a series of separatesplint-carrying devices, each provided with means for holding a row ofsplints, a pair of rotating wheels having notches to receive portions ofthe'splint-carryin g devices,and spring-latches carried by the wheels toengage and support portions of the splint-carrying devices,substantially as described.

5. In a machine for making matches,in combination with a series ofseparate splint-carrying devices, each provided with means for holding arow of splints, a pair of rotating wheels having notches to receiveportions of the splint-carryin g devices,and spring-latches carried bythe wheels to engage and support portions of the splint-carryingdevices, and means for tripping the latches, substantially as described.

6. In a match-making machine, in combination with a series of separatesplint-carrying devices, each provided with means for holding one ormore rows of splints, a series of pairs of rotating wheels havingnotches to engage portions of the splint-carrying devices, the pairs ofwheels being placed with their notched peripheries close together andhaving their notches so arranged, that the splintcarrying devices canpass from the notches of one pair of wheels directly into those of thesucceeding pair, and means for shifting the splint carrying devices fromone pair of wheels to another, substantially as and for the purposedescribed.

7. In a match-making machine in combination with a series of separatesplint-carry ing devices, a series of pairs of rotating wheels placedclose together and having notches to engage portions of thesplint-carrying devices, the notches in each pair of wheels beingadapted to come opposite those of the next pair in the series, andinclined guides to engage and shift the splint-carrying devices from thenotches of one pair of wheels into those of the succeeding pair,substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. In a match-making machine, a series of separate splint-carryingdevices, each provided with means for holding one or more rows ofsplints, a series of pairs of rotating wheels having notches to engageportions of the splint carrying devices, and inclined guides to engageand shift the splint-carrying devicesfrom one pair of wheels to another,as the wheels rotate, substantially as described.

9. In a match-making machine, in combination with a series ofsplint-carrying devices, each having means for holding one or more rowsof splints, a pair of rotating wheels having notches to engage portionsof the splintcarrying devices, latches on the wheels to engage portionsof such devices, means for tripping such latches, transfer-guides tomove the splint carrying devices, to take their notch-engaged portionsout of engagement with the notches of the wheels, and a second pair ofrotating Wheels having notches to receive portions of thesplint-carrying devices, when the latter are shifted away from the firstwheels, substantially as described.

10. In a match-making machine in combination with a series ofsplint-carrying devices, each having means for holding one or more rowsof splints, a series of pairs of rotating wheels in which adjoiningpairs rotate in opposite directions, the wheels of each pair beingprovided with corresponding notches to engage portions of thesplint-carrying devices, guides for shifting the latter from one pair ofwheels to the next succeeding pair, latches on the pairs of wheels underwhich the splint= carrying devices pass, to engage and support portionsof such devices, and means for tripping such latches at the points wherethe splint-carrying devices are transferred to and from thelatch-carryin g wheels, substantially as described.

11. In a match-making machine, in combination with a series ofsplint-carryin g devices, each having means for holding one or more rowsof splints, a series of pairs of rotating wheels, in which adjoiningpairs of wheels rotate in opposite directions, each wheel having notchesto engage portions of the splintcarrying devices, guides to shift suchdevices from each pair of wheels to the next succeeding pair, latches onalternate pairs of wheels to engage and support portions of thosesplintcarrying devices which are engaged by the notches of such wheels,and cams to trip and hold back the latches for awhile, at the pointswhere the shifting-guides shift the splint-carrying devices to and fromthe latch-carrying wheels, substantially as described.

12. In a match-making machine, in combination with a series ofsplint-carrying devices, each having means for holding one or more rowsof splints, a series of rotating wheels upon or from which thesplint-carrying devices are supported, such pairs of wheels being placedclose together, so that the splintcarrying devices can be transferreddirectly from one to another, and inclined guides to engage and shiftsuch devices from one of the wheels to another, as the wheels revolve,and means for giving the wheels a simultaneous step-by-step motion,substantially as described.

13. In a match-making machine, in combination with a series ofsplint-carrying devices, each having means for holding one or more rowsof splints, a pair of rotating wheels having notches to engage portionsof the splintcarrying devices, guides to guide such devices to causetheir notch-en gagi-n g portions to move into and out of thewheel-notches, the springlatches in the wheels and cams to force backsuch latches out of the way of the splint-carrying devices, where thenotch-engaging portions of the latter are moved into and out ofthelwheel-notches, substantiallyas described.

14. In a match-making machine in combination with a source of supply ofsplints adapted to move them endwise in a row, a series ofsplint-carrying devices, each having means to hold one or more rows ofsplints, a pair of rotating wheels having notches to engage portions ofthe splint-carrying devices, latches to engage and support portions ofthe splint-carrying devices, and means for rotating the wheels to bringthe means for holding rows of splints on the splint-carrying devicessuccessively over the source of supply of splints, in position toreceive a row of splints therefrom, substantially as described. 15. In amatch-making machine, in combination with a source of supply of splints,adapted to move them endwise in a row, a series of splint-carryingdevices, each having means for holding two or more rows of splints, apair of rotating wheels having notches to engage portions of thesplint-carrying devices, latches on the wheels to engage and supportportions of such devices, means for rotating the wheels with astep-by-step rotation, to bring the means for holding separate rows ofsplints on the splint-carrying devices successively up to a position inline with the travel of the splints in the source of supply of thelatter, and guides engaging the splintcarrying devices and causing themto move in a straight line, while they are over and are passing thesource of supply of splints, substantially as described.

16. In a match-making machine in combination with a series ofsplint-carrying devices having means for receiving and holding one ormore rows of splints, means for inserting rows of splints in suchcarrying devices, a pair of rotary wheels supporting and moving thesplint-carrying devices past the splint-inserting means,and guides toengage the splintcarrying devices and cause them to rock, with referenceto the wheels, when passing over thesplint-insertingmeans,so that theirsplintreceiving devices will be presented properly in line with thesplint-inserting means, substantially as and for the purpose described.

17. I11 a match-making machine, in combination with a series ofsplint-carrying devices, each having lugs and means for holding one ormore rows of splints, a pair of rotating wheels having notches to engagesuch lugs, and latches on the wheels to support such lugs and hold themin the wheel-notches, substantially as described.

18. In a match-making machine, in combination with a series ofsplint-carrying devices, each having lugs and means for holding one ormore rows of match-splints, a pair of rotating wheels having notches toengage thelugs on the splint-carrying devices, latches on the Wheels tosupport such lugs and hold them in the wheel-notches, and cams to forcesuch latches away from the lugs, substantially as described.

19. In a match-making machine, in combination with a series ofsplint-carrying devices, each having lugs and means for holding one ormore rows of splints, rotating Wheels having notches with convex bottomsto engage the lugs on the splint-carrying devices, means for supplyingthe splints in rows, and guides to cause the splint-carrying devices totravel in a straight line, when opposite the splintsupplying means,substantially as described.

20. In a match-making machine, in combination with a series ofsplint-carrying devices, each having lugs and means for holding one ormore rows of splints,wheels having notches with convex bottoms to engagethe lugs on the splint-carrying devices, latches carried by the wheelsto support such lugs and hold them in the wheel-notches, guides toengage the splint-carrying devices and cause them to travel in astraight line, during a portion of their movement with the notchedwheels, means for rotating the Wheels with a step-bystep movement, andmeans for thrusting match-splints in rows into the splint-holders on thecarrying devices, substantially as de* scribed.

21. In a match-making machine, in combination with a series ofsplint-carryiug plates, each having lugs on its opposite ends and one ormore rows of splint-receiving perforations, a pair of wheels havingnotches to receive the lugs on the plates, latches on the wheels toengage and support the lugs in the wheelnotches, means for giving thewheels a stepby-step rotation, and splint-supplying mechanism arrangedto thrust rows of splintsinto the rows of perforations in the plates, assuch rows of perforations are brought opposite it by the movement of thenotched wheels, sub stantially as described.

22. Ina match-making machine, in combination with a series ofsplint-carrying plates, each having end lugs and several rows ofsplint-receiving perforations, a pair of wheels provided with notcheswith convex bottoms to engage the plate-lugs, latches on the wheels toengage such lugs and support them in the wheel notches, guides betweenwhich the plates are passed by the rotation of the wheels, adapted tocause such plates to travel in a straight line, while at and passing agiven point, a splint-supplying mechanism to thrust the splints in rowsinto the rows of perforations in the carrier-plates, as such rows aresuccessively brought up to such given point by the rotation of thewheels, and means for rotating the latter, substantially as described.

23. In a match-making machine, in combination with a series ofmatch-splint carriers provided with means for receiving and hold- IIOing match-splints, a series of pairs of wheels having notches to engageportions of the carriers, the pairs of wheels being placed closetogether so that the splint-carriers can be transferred directly fromone pair to the next succeeding one, means for transferring suchcarriers from each pair of wheels to the next succeeding pair, gearingconnecting the pairs of wheels, and means for rotating the wheels with astep-by-step rotation, substantially as described.

24:. In a machine for making matches, in combination with a series ofsplint-carriers provided with means to receive and hold match-splints, aseries of pairs of wheels with notches to engage portions of thecarriers, the pairs of Wheels being placed close together in the seriesand having their notches arranged so that those in one pair of wheelscome opposite those in the next pair, means for guiding the carriersfrom the notches of one pair of Wheels to those of the next pair,gearing connecting the pairs of wheels, ratchetwheels connected with thenotched wheels, movable arms carrying pawls to engage and actuate theratchet-wheels, and means for moving such arms simultaneously,substantially as described.

25. In combination with a series of pairs of notched wheels, and aseries of splint-carrying devices adapted to be engaged by the notchesin the wheels, intermeshing gearing rotating with the pairs of wheels,and gearing the latter together, a ratchet-wheel connected with eachpair of notched wheels, a swinging arm for each ratchet-wheel providedwith a pawl to engage the latter, a reciprocating bar connected with theseveral ratchetarms, so

as to actuate the same, as the bar reciprocates,

and means for reciprocating the bar, substantially as described.

26. In a match-making machine, in combination with a series ofmatch-splint carriers provided with means for receiving and holdin g thesplints, a series of pairs of wheels provided with notches to engageportions of the carriers, such pairs of wheels being placed closetogether in the series, so as to bring the notches in one pair close tothose of the next succeeding pair, means for shifting the carriers fromone pair of wheels to the next succeeding pair, gearing rotating withthe pairs of wheels and meshing together, so as to gear adjoining pairsof Wheels together, ratchetwheels connected with the pairs of notchedwheels, swinging arms carrying pawls to en gage and actuate theratchet-wheels, a moving bar connected with the pawlcarrying arms, so asto cause them to swing simultaneously, and means for actuating the bars,substantially as described.

27. In a composition-applying mechanism for match-making machines, incombination with a vat containing the composition, a rising and fallingframe, carrying a pan to take a layer of composition from the vat, meansfor raising and lowering such frame, a movable scraper, to remove excessof composition from the pan, situated and moving always above the vatcontents, and means for causing such scraper to move across the pan, asthe latter is raised from the vat, substantially as described.

28. In a composition-applying mechanism for match-making machines, incombination with a vat for the composition, a rising and falling framecarrying a pan to take a layer of composition from the vat, means forraising and lowering such frame, a scraper-bar moved upward by theraising of the pan, and inclined slots in stationary pieces, to engageportions of the bar and cause the latter to move across the pan, as itrises, substantially as described.

29. In combination with the vat for the composition, a rising andfalling frame, a pan on the latter to take composition from the Vat,

sition therefrom, means for moving such pan to submerge it in and raiseit above the composition in the vat, the scraper-bar, andisupportscarrying inclined slots engaging hearing projections on bar ends tocause the bar to travel to and fro across the pan, as the bar rises andfalls, substantially as described.

31. In combination with the vat for the composition, the pan for takinga layer of composition therefrom, means for moving such pan to submergeit in and raise it above the composition in the vat, the scraper-bar,supports carrying inclined slots engaging portions of the bar, to causeit to move across over the pan as it rises and falls, and the slidingplates having horizontal slots engaging portions of the bar,substantially as described.

In combination with a vat for the composition, the pan for taking alayer of composition therefrom, means for moving such pan to submerge itin and raise it above the composition in the vat, the scraper-bar,supports provided with inclined slots to engage portions of the bar ator near the opposite ends thereof, and upright slots at the upper endsof the inclined slots, and vertically-sliding plates, having horizontalslots also engaging portions of the scraper-bar, substantially asdescribed.

33. In combination with a vat for the composition, the pan for taking alayer of composition therefrom, means for lowering and raising the panto submerge it in and raise it above the vat contents, the scraper-bar,supports having inclined slots engaging portions of the bar, andvertically sliding plates, guided in suitable ways on such supports, andhaving transverse slots engaging squared por

